Study Support Mentoring in partnership with Education Leeds

A partnership between Leeds Cares and Education Leeds is using the power of sport to raise the educational achievement and employability skills of young people in South Leeds

Study support enables, extends and enriches learning via a range of innovative learning centres in venues across the city, which are delivering programmes to raise achievement, complement the school curriculum and set young people up for success.

Leeds Cares is linked to a programme called ‘Playing for Success’ which is run nationally in Premiership Football Clubs, Rugby and Cricket Clubs and other sports arenas. The Study Support Mentoring for this programme works primarily with two high schools and fifteen primary schools in the South Leeds area, some of the most deprived in the city. In addition, many other schools access the Learning Centre from all over the city, taking full advantage of the fantastic facilities at this venue, which provides a relaxed and comfortable environment for the pupils.

Each programme runs for a term and sessions are run every day from 3.30pm-5.30pm for KS2 pupils and 5.30pm-7.30pm for KS3 pupils. Each session contains numeracy, literacy and ICT activities which are devised and led by a teacher and attended by approximately 15 pupils. They are given support by mentors to boost self-esteem, increase confidence and raise their aspirations.

Volunteers are needed to mentor the young people in these sessions, assist them with the activities, talk to them about their aspirations and generally provide support. The commitment requested from volunteers would be to attend once a week for two hours for the full term at the Hunslet Hawks Learning Centre, South Leeds Stadium. All volunteers have an initial briefing session before they start the scheme and a member of the Study Support team will be present at all the sessions to provide guidance for the volunteers and point them in the right direction.

The key business benefit to working with young people is contributing to the skills and qualifications of young people in the city who will in turn be the future workforce. There are also many benefits to the individuals who are involved with the Study Support mentoring sessions including developing communication and coaching skills as well as an understanding of how to manage people and bring out the best in them.

Please contact your Business Co-ordinator to get involved. Leeds Cares will make contact with Education Leeds to arrange suitable dates and briefings